Arts Student Shares 2026 UTME Result on TikTok with Controversial 'School Na Scam' Remark
An arts student identified as Joshua has publicly displayed his 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result on the social media platform TikTok, triggering a wave of mixed reactions from netizens. The student, who shared a screenshot of his result on April 18, 2026, congratulated himself on his performance but accompanied it with the provocative statement, "School na scam."
Breakdown of Joshua's UTME Scores and Aggregate Result
From the screenshot posted on TikTok under the username @joshcash08, Joshua's subject scores are as follows:
- English Language: 64
- Government: 62
- Literature: 51
- Christian Religious Studies (CRS): 58
This gives him an aggregate score of 235 out of a possible 400, as he aims to gain admission into a Nigerian university. In his TikTok caption, he wrote, "School na scame but I don sha pass JAMB," blending Nigerian Pidgin English to express his ambivalence toward formal education despite his achievement.
Mixed Reactions from Social Media Users to the Post
The post has ignited a flurry of comments on TikTok, with users offering diverse perspectives on Joshua's score and his "school na scam" declaration. Some users shared their own experiences, while others critiqued his subject choices or offered congratulations.
Notable reactions include:
- Moyinoluwa: "Well anyways, na BABADADACAC, method me I use."
- __Felix: "School na scam I dey final year. Just one semester remaining self."
- GØT PAID: "I secured 210 and I want to read Law ohh."
- #????????★? : "Add math, acc, remove crs and lit."
- king senjong the great: "Omohhhh so some of unah think say government nah easy subject."
- RAPH WEST: "Baami wish me success o I just wan write mine this morning I tap from your jamb score o we even have the same subject combination."
- ☘︎♡Chizaram✧??♡☘︎: "Congratulations. I wrote same combination scored: 253 expected more but God did."
- ️????️: "As I dey wish una congratulations God go run my own too."
Context: JAMB Releases First Batch of 2026 UTME Results
This incident comes as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released the first batch of 2026 UTME results on Friday, April 17, 2026. The results are for the 632,788 candidates who sat for the exam on the first day, Thursday, April 16. The 2026 UTME is currently ongoing, with examinations scheduled from April 16 to April 25.
JAMB has advised candidates to check their results using the approved SMS method, as the online portal for full result slips is still under preparation. To check results, candidates must use the phone number linked to their registration and send "UTMERESULT" to 55019, ensuring they have at least N50 airtime. JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin has warned against attempts to alter official score messages, emphasizing that this SMS channel is the only approved method for now.
Broader Implications and Student Sentiments
Joshua's post highlights a growing sentiment among some Nigerian youth who question the value of formal education, often citing issues like unemployment, underfunding, and curriculum relevance. His use of social media to share academic results reflects how platforms like TikTok are becoming spaces for students to express their frustrations and achievements, fostering community discussions around education.
This story also underscores the high stakes of the UTME, a critical exam for university admission in Nigeria, where scores can determine future opportunities. As more results are released, similar posts and reactions are expected to emerge across social media, shaping public discourse on education and student life.
